TheCable

The Oyo government says it will deploy Man O’ War operatives to primary and secondary schools across the state to beef up security.

Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, disclosed this when he received national executives of the paramilitary organisation at his office on Thursday.

According to a statement by Taiwo Adisa, chief press secretary to the governor, Makinde expressed concern about the trend of attacks on schools across the country, adding that the Man O’ War will contribute towards improving security and surveillance efforts.

“Man O’ War, as an organisation, I know is trying its best. I can testify to the role Man O’ War played during the elections that I participated in as governorship candidate in 2015 and 2019. So, I will renew my commitment in Man O’ War,” Makinde said.

“Yes, the nation is faced with insecurity challenges right now all over the place. We have insurgency in the north-east, banditry in the north-west. We have herders/farmers clash in the north-central zone of the country. And we thought those were far, remote, but now, they are at our doorstep. Here also in Oyo state, we have been dealing with kidnapping, farmer/herder clashes and people have suddenly become temperamental.

“Before now, if you were walking on the street, you would see some issues arise and people would settle them amicably. But now, they will almost kill one another. So, this is a period that Man O’ War will need to double its efforts and look at programmes at the grassroots level where we can project more on the issue of citizenship and leadership for our country.

“In schools, we have discussed with the honourable commissioner for education before now on the issue of security. Some of the schools are not properly fenced; hoodlums hibernate in schools.

“I know they have put together a proposal on fencing and having demarcations for all of the schools, but this idea of deployment of Man O’ War for security and surveillance is a welcome idea. We will look at the proposal and we should be engaging either the national or state command team to ensure that this can see the light of day and I think it is something that we will do.”

The state also donated two utility vehicles to the Oyo state command, and one to the national command of the paramilitary organisation.

The history of the Man O’ War dates back to Nigeria’s independence, when it was set up as leadership training centre, before it evolved into a paramilitary outfit.